The Ministry of National Security and Immigration has given careful consideration to the existing laws governing immigration and nationality. It is felt that there is an urgent need to further strengthen the Immigration Act to deter the incidence of illegal entry into Belize. There is also a need to modify the immigration rules relating to thefees charged for nationality and residence permits.

The Ministry is guided by the government’s vision as expressed by the Manifesto, Set Belize Free “for a state with secure borders respected by its neighbours, where all citizens are assured that their lives and property are safe and their human rights respected, where laws and institutions are honoured…”

The new immigration and nationality policy is designed to achieve four objectives: protect Belizean workers, control and manage our borders, apprehend and deport those who willfully violate our laws, and improve the services of the Immigration and Nationality Department.

The Ministry further appeals to those who work, visit or live in Belize to respect and comply with our laws, and calls on those establishments that currently hire foreign nationals to identify and train Belizean wokers.

The Ministry of National Security and Immigration intends to introduce and implement the following new measures starting Friday, February 5th, 1999.

1. AMENDMENT OF THE IMMIGRATION ACT

Legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives to require employers who employ illegal immigrants to pay the costs of repatriation of such persons, in addition to other penalties already prescribed by law. Similarly, public carriers that bring illegal immigrants to Belize may be liable to a fine up to $5,000.00, and in addition, shall be required to pay the costs of repatriation of such persons.

2. PERMANENT RESIDENCE FEES

All applicants for permanent residence, except nationals of the People’s Republic of China, will be charged the following flat fees which will be non-refundable:-

1. Central Americans (Salvadorans

Nicaraguans, Hondurans) - ----------------------$ 525.00

(Guatemalans, Mexicans) - ----------------------$ 250.00

2. Caricom Nationals ----------------------------$ 600.00

3. Other Commonwealth Nationals --------------$1,000.00

4. All Other Nationals ---------------------------$1,250.00

5. Permanent Residence Card -------------------$ 125.00

6. Permanent Residence Replacement Card ------$ 50.00

Nationals of the Peoples’ Republic of China will be charged a non-refundable fee of $3,000.00.

The Permanent Residence fees specified above will be in lieu of deposits currently being charged.

3. BORDER PERMIT FEE

There shall be a flat fee of $20.00 per annum for a border permit.

4. WORK PERMIT FEES

(a) Professional and Technical workers--------------------- a fixed fee of $1,500.00per annum.

Work permits will generally not be issued for waitresses, vendors, domestics and farm hands save in exceptional circumstances.

6. STUDENT’S AND DEPENDENT’S PERMITS

There will be no fee for a student’s visa provided a letter of admission from an accredited institution is produced.

The fee for a Dependent’s permit will be $75.00 per annum.

7. VISITOR’S AND TOURIST’S VISA

Up to 6 months -----------------------$25.00 per month.

After 6 month’s stay ------------------$50.00 per month.

A work permit will not be issued to a visitor or tourist who resides in Belize for a period of less than six months.

8. APPLICATIONS TO BE MADE IN PERSON

Applications to the Immigration and Nationality Department shall be made in person if the applicant is in Belize. Likewise applicants themselves, upon proof of identity, must personally claim approved documents.

9. TIME FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

All applications to the Immigration and Nationality Service shall, as far as practicable, be processed and completed within a period of four (4) weeks. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

10. NATIONALITY FEES

The new fees will be as follows:

Registration as a citizen of Belize -------------------$300.00

under section 10 and section 11 of the Belizean Nationality Act.

Inclusion of the name of a minor ----------------------$100.00

per child child under section 12 -----------------(No change)

Certificate of Citizenship in case of doubt under section 6 ----------------$100.00